What Is 1998 Colorado Rockies baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 Colorado Rockies finished the season with a 77–85 record, placing fourth in the National League West. They played their home games at Coors Field in Denver under manager Don Baylor.

Key Facts

Finished with a 77–85 record in the 1998 MLB season
Played home games at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado
Managed by Don Baylor, who led the team from 1993 to 1998
Hit 230 home runs, ranking 3rd in the National League
Average home attendance of 41,980, 2nd highest in MLB

Overview

The 1998 Colorado Rockies season marked the franchise's sixth year in Major League Baseball. Competing in the National League West, the team finished with a losing record but remained competitive at home thanks to their high-powered offense.

Playing at Coors Field, known for its hitter-friendly environment, the Rockies leveraged altitude and thin air to boost offensive production. Despite strong individual performances, the team struggled with consistency on the road and in pitching, ultimately missing the postseason.

Record: The Rockies finished the 1998 season with a 77–85 win-loss record, placing them fourth in the NL West, 16 games behind the division-winning San Diego Padres.
Manager:Don Baylor managed the team for the sixth consecutive season before being replaced after the year; his leadership emphasized aggressive offense and player development.
Home Field: Coors Field in Denver, Colorado hosted all home games, where the team posted a 47–34 record, significantly better than their 30–51 road performance.
Offensive Output: The Rockies hit 230 home runs in 1998, the third-most in the National League, led by Andres Galarraga (37 HR) and Greg Vaughn (35 HR).
Attendance: Despite the losing record, the team drew an average of 41,980 fans per game, ranking second in MLB, reflecting strong local support.

Performance & Key Players

The 1998 Rockies were defined by their offensive firepower and struggles in pitching, particularly on the road. While the lineup produced runs at a high rate, the rotation and bullpen failed to maintain consistency.

Andres Galarraga: The veteran first baseman hit .303 with 37 home runs and 115 RBIs, earning his fifth All-Star selection and finishing 10th in MVP voting.
Greg Vaughn: Acquired in a trade, Vaughn contributed 35 home runs and 98 RBIs, forming a potent middle-of-the-order duo with Galarraga.
Darryl Kile: The team's ace won 14 games with a 3.97 ERA, leading the staff in innings pitched (219.1) and strikeouts (158).
Coors Field Effect: Rockies pitchers posted a 5.48 ERA at home compared to 4.72 on the road, highlighting the ballpark's impact on earned runs allowed.
Relief Pitching: Closer Mariano Duncan saved 31 games but had a 5.19 ERA, reflecting broader bullpen inconsistencies.
Defensive Metrics: The team committed 108 errors, ranking among the worst in the league, with infield defense a recurring issue throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1998 Rockies compared to other NL West teams in key statistical categories:

Team	W–L Record	Home Runs	Team ERA	Avg. Attendance
San Diego Padres	92–70	185	3.88	23,808
Colorado Rockies	77–85	230	5.13	41,980
Los Angeles Dodgers	85–77	173	4.19	34,763
San Francisco Giants	89–73	196	4.30	23,934
Arizona Diamondbacks	65–97	166	5.06	2,867,000 (season total)

The Rockies led the division in home runs but ranked last in team ERA, underscoring their offensive strength and pitching weaknesses. Their attendance dwarfed rivals, showing strong fan engagement despite on-field struggles.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season exemplified the Rockies’ early franchise identity: explosive offense at home, inconsistent pitching, and high fan interest. It also marked the end of Don Baylor’s managerial tenure, setting the stage for organizational changes.

Franchise Development: The season highlighted the need for improved pitching, influencing future draft and trade strategies focused on arms.
Coors Field Legacy: The offensive explosion reinforced Coors Field’s reputation as a hitter’s paradise, affecting how teams evaluated player performance.
Player Legacies: Galarraga’s performance solidified his status as one of the Rockies’ early stars before his 1999 cancer diagnosis and recovery.
Attendance Trends: High turnout demonstrated Denver’s strong support for baseball, helping secure the team’s long-term future in the city.
Managerial Shift: Baylor’s departure after 1998 led to the hiring of Jim Leyland, though he resigned before managing a game, leading to Joe Kennedy taking over.
Statistical Anomalies: The ERA disparity between home and away games sparked broader MLB discussions about altitude’s impact on pitcher evaluation and health.

The 1998 Rockies remain a case study in balancing ballpark effects with sustainable team-building, influencing how expansion teams approach roster construction in extreme environments.